Pet Peeves While Airlining

[acaTerry]

Southwest, anywhere southwest flies, and any terminal southwest flies to.

YES!!

 

[leardawg]

Go get another job where you don't have to airline then...

That's exactly what I did! (Lighten up, Titus Moody! It's all just humor.)

Did something strike a nerve? Are you a 1 1/2 seater? HABIB, IS THAT YOU?!!

 

[Guitar Guy]

I had one instance on a flight where the FA came back to me and said the captain wanted to speak to me immediately. Being in uniform, I figured it was time for the ol' "jumpseat etiquette" diatribe. Instead, the captain really wanted to see me because he wanted to know about my company, the contract and how to possibly apply.

But I add another "+1" to Diesel's post, especially the Southwest part. Nice enough people at SWA for the most part, but please lay off the kool-aid. And please assign seats instead of the "ready, set, stampede" boarding method.

 

[PacoPollo]

*

* When you are on day 8 and hour # 15 you finally make it to your domicile, pull up to the gate, and the CSA's are no where to be found to operate the jetway.

*
* When on day 8, and connecting through dulles with a tight connection, after just coming from SEATTLE IN A MIDDLE SEAT, you miss your connection to your domicile because that ugly people mover thing broke down! (really happened!)

Day 8?? WTF?? HA HA HA!!!!

 

[Fozzy]

One of mine is all the jackass's that jump up the second the seatbelt sign comes off. Run Forest Run! And now stand in the isle for 15 minutes till you can leave.

But I have made this pet peeve into one of my favorite times at work. You see, the RJ is the only jet left in the airline industry (at least it seems that way). Now when that "BING" signals for everyone to stand, you need to pay attention. Because this is when everyone bashes their head into the overhead. On average, there is at least 3-5 mild concussions every time the Captain flicks that all important switch. I know this is sick, but I do enjoy watching all those lemmings smashing their melons into the reading lamp.

 

[gordon24]

Just thought of another one:

Early in the morning or late at night and you are just falling asleep. The plane is getting bounced around in light chop and the pax next to you wakes you up and says, "this is not good, are we going to be okay?" I always tell them, "If my eyes are closed, we're okay. If I'm wide-eyed and white as a ghost, we're as good as dead." That'll get you some stares!

Love the one about the banging heads on the RJ's. I'm gonna start keeping count.

 

[Flying Illini]

I don't airline as much as you guys do (thankfully!) but I'll give it a shot:

In turbulence: The people who you can hear guessing how far the plane dropped in turbulence. "Oh that was probably a thousand feet!"

People walking up and down the aisle who feel that it is necessary to put your hands on each and every seat headrest on either side of the aisle. I understand the need to steady yourself BUT if it's bumpy, stay in your damn seat and if it's not bumpy you shouldn't be falling over...but if you feel like you will...put your hand up on the overhead bin! Quite touching my head/pulling my hair when you pin my hair between your hand and the seat!! And do you really have to put that much weight into the seat that you cause it to move and it feels like you just kicked my headrest?

 

[BushwickBill]

Customs at YVR

When my boss clears customs at YVR we call canpass, when they give us a code we can open the door. The rental car is running outside the plane.

Clearing customs as a passenger on the airlines. 4 widebody aircraft from Asia deposit the masses of humanity at the same time every day. Some how this is a huge suprise for Canadian Customs. It practily blindsides them, despite the fact it happens at the same time every day. Stand in line for close to 3 hours. Get verbally harrased for about 5 to 10. Remind the customs agent that since you had to wait in line for 3 hours your going to miss your flight. Get verbally harrased for about 5 to 10 pick up your bags. Run to catch your flight. Miss your flight because you have to clear security AGAIN! I am a pesant and I know it now.

 

[FracCapt]

So....let me get this straight....some of you guys acutally travel, while on a COMPANY PAID TICKET, in the goof suit? WTF are you thinking? It'll just get you stupid ass questions, looks, and comments....so take off that stupid ass shirt before you get onboard and put on a polo or something! At the VERY LEAST take off your epaulets, ties, wings, nametags, whateverthef#&k you wear! Generally, if you're wearing a shirt with epaulet holders, only the FA's and other pilots will know what you are....just make up some story for the other schmucks to tell them what you do for a living.

 

[Beatrix Kiddo]

Probably just guys with the "IM A PILOT/CAPTAIN" fetish...Why else would anyone wear the "monkey suit" for travel...I think its assinine that we have to dress like airline pilots anyway...Slacks, a company polo or long sleeve with the company logo and nice shoes outta be enough. I especially hate wearing the friggin tie!! :angryfire Ive traveled with guys who wore their uniform and I didnt and never saw them have any advantage over me as far as security checks, hassles, etc....In fact Ive seen them get flagged and I didnt.

 

[swampfan]

Policy

I think some companies have a policy requiring pilots to airline in uniform at times.

 

[learflyer]

Day 8?? WTF?? HA HA HA!!!!

dont be a bonehead. I still get 7 off in a row.

 

[Ultra Grump]

So....let me get this straight....some of you guys acutally travel, while on a COMPANY PAID TICKET, in the goof suit?

1st day travel we're required by the FOM to travel in uniform, so that if your checked luggage doesn't make it to the other end, you will still be able to work.

I wear it because it absolutely DOES make it easier in many, many places to get through security, and has also gotten me upgraded to first by gate agents several times (especially on Alaska, those gate agents rock!). Other times, it's gotten me extra first-class food, while sitting in coach. Many times the flight attendants will take better care of you as well. If you're in "civvies," you're just another one of the herd they have to manage.

 

[gutshotdraw]

[quote=Beatrix Kidd "Why else would anyone wear the "monkey suit" for travel..."

Two words: Pre Board


"I think its assinine that we have to dress like airline pilots anyway...Slacks, a company polo or long sleeve with the company logo and nice shoes outta be enough."

Absolute, 100% agreement. Every time we reference an airline type policy that we use, the company screams "We're not an airline!" THEN STOP DRESSING US LIKE ONE!

 

[learflyer]

1st day travel we're required by the FOM to travel in uniform, so that if your checked luggage doesn't make it to the other end, you will still be able to work.

I wear it because it absolutely DOES make it easier in many, many places to get through security, and has also gotten me upgraded to first by gate agents several times (especially on Alaska, those gate agents rock!). Other times, it's gotten me extra first-class food, while sitting in coach. Many times the flight attendants will take better care of you as well. If you're in "civvies," you're just another one of the herd they have to manage.

You check your luggage?

 

[JetProp]

-When I'm sitting in an aisle seat, the large man next to me is hogging the armrest, and as people board, they bang into my head & shoulder repeatedly with carry ons.

-When crews make PA's and ~whisper~I hope it's not important info.

-When crews make PA's and give a sightseeing tour every 10 minutes on Oh dark thirty flights.

-Window seats on CRJ's.

-When it's a tight connection anyway and the jacka$$ has to stand up and remove his briefcase while on the taxiway. Causing the plane to stop and further compunding the delay (this happened recently).

-The fattest/slowest people who walk in the center of the terminal, rather than keep to the right so faster traffic can pass.

-The confused person who has to cut in line at the gate to "ask a quck question".

 

[leardawg]

1st day travel we're required by the FOM to travel in uniform, so that if your checked luggage doesn't make it to the other end, you will still be able to work.

I wear it because it absolutely DOES make it easier in many, many places to get through security, and has also gotten me upgraded to first by gate agents several times (especially on Alaska, those gate agents rock!). Other times, it's gotten me extra first-class food, while sitting in coach. Many times the flight attendants will take better care of you as well. If you're in "civvies," you're just another one of the herd they have to manage.

I only wore mine on Day 1 if I knew I would be flying a trip that day, because it would get pretty wrinkled sitting in my bag no matter how I packed it. On my go-home day, there were times where you had just enough time to make it from your airplane to your airline flight home, and no time to change ( otherwise I'd often wear it until I was through security, then change in the mens room).

 

[414Flyer]

I've never been to Calcutta but that has to be pretty close.

I have actually airlined all around India, and well the poorest can not afford to fly by airline, and the middle class there dress nicer than our middle class, at least in terms of usually slack and button down shirt of some kind when traveling, so it was probably better there airlining. Plus better service, no EEO rules regarding stewardess hiring, and something to eat on most every flight.

My airlining pet peeve, is when you check something standby and of course get that SSSS on the boarding pass, so TSA puts you in their little penalty box and takes your boarding pass.

You look at your watch and see the time towards the flight is getting closer. You stand up, which alarms them and they all look at you, and want to find out when you will get inspected so you can get to your flight. Their reply " I dont know"

You can try to tell them that unless they can get to you RIGHT NOW, you are going to miss your flight, and that your bag is going onto somewhere without you.

However they are too stupid to realize this concept and tell you to sit back down and they will try to get to you in a while. Again you tell them that its pointless for you to sit here and go through this if you can not make the flight and that if you cant make the flight, then arrangements have to be made for the bag to be taken off. They ask "what time is the flight and what gate" Well moron, you took my boarding pass, you look at it and see.

I have had enough of this crap, so again I stand up to approach the TSA screeners and then they all think I am going to be some terrorist all because I dared again to stand up in their SSSS penalty box and question their omnipotence. I said I need to get out of line, I am going to miss the flight and I have to get my bag off of the flight. Its pointless for me to stay in here any longer.

All the moronic screener since the concept of this goes over his head, is to call his boss (to Supervisor "He wants to talk to you"), even though I never asked for him, I just said I wanted to get out of line, go back to the ticket desk and call to have my bag taken off the flight.

Supervisor at least understands the concept of not needing to go thru security for a flight I am not going to make, so he escorts me out and back to where I can walk down to call for my standby bag.

Wonderful MKE TSA

 

[Ultra Grump]

You check your luggage?

Nope, but that's why they have the policy. Some do check it.

 

[learflyer]

It's tempting as he11 to check it. Sometimes on go home day I will.

 

[RNObased]

Clearly,

2. If in uniform, some airlines (think Southwest) will let you pre-board so you can have an extra moment to put away YOUR steamer trunk and flight bag or you might even wangle that holy grail upgrade to PREMIERE CLASSE (this works especially well if you casually make friends with the gate agent, learn their name, comiserate with them over what a moron their bankrupt CEO is--not applicable at Southwest, of course).

4. When the idiot next to you breaks wind, or the kid behind you is working on his field goal technique, or Grandpa Jones thinks he deserves your exit-row aisle seat, just remember those points you are earning and how you are planning to use them on a great vacation (USING THEM TO VISIT AUNT ENID FOR EASTER IS A MAJOR FRACTIONAL FOUL).

5. You can always go back to commuter flying or freight dogging where you have to hope and pray that some kindly soul will allow you to jump seat or pass ride home on the last flight of the night after you got bumped three times for revenue pax or on-line non-revs.

Really Southwest allows YOU that courtesy??? I have never been allowed to do that, been doing this gig a long time now. Has never happened.

Put down SWA as the worst airline in the world to get booked on. They hardly ever push back on time, they love to sing songs while I'm trying to sleep. The people on the jet are half a step above gray hound.

The FF miles hardly make it worth it. Too many blackout dates and so on. Hell I have many FF miles I doubt I will ever get to use.

Telling everyone to go back to flying freight if they don't like the airlines.... Nice work.... That will show them.....

 

[gutshotdraw]

Wow RNO, lost your sense of humor on that last airline home I guess. I wasn't telling anyone to go back to freight or the commuters. Just making the point that a positive space ticket home is a whole lot better than "please, mister Captain, please!" Been at this a long time too and although airlining is the toughest part of fractional flying, a smile and pleasant attitude go a long way.

By the way, I can't remember the last time Southwest DIDN'T let me pre-board when in uniform...oops yeah I can. Tucson about three years ago but the Cat's had just lost a heartbreaker in the tournament.

Judging by your glass is half empty post, I can see you have trouble with schmoozing 101.

 

[Ticker]

Hover Jerks!

My wife and I have traveled a few times with our infant child. The call for boarding of poor slobs like us first and not the million mile super duper gate cloggers who all are jockeying to be two inches in front of the next weenie. My wife ain't meek though. We have one of those strollers thats the equivilant of a sherman tank and she uses it that way! "Move it! Woman with a baby coming through!" and my favorite "real nice!! Thank God I'm not on the Titanic!!!" And I quote! I follow close behind making sure that the car seat the baby sits in hangs off my shoulder and bops the maximum number of gate cloggers on my way by.(no way in he11 my kid is sitting on a lap!)

She even had to shame some weenie into getting their but up off the seat in the monorail when she was traveling 8 months pregnant.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

Tyipcal SW passenger mentality

Hover Jerks!

My wife and I have traveled a few times with our infant child. The call for boarding of poor slobs like us first and not the million mile super duper gate cloggers who all are jockeying to be two inches in front of the next weenie. My wife ain't meek though. We have one of those strollers thats the equivilant of a sherman tank and she uses it that way! "Move it! Woman with a baby coming through!" and my favorite "real nice!! Thank God I'm not on the Titanic!!!" And I quote! I follow close behind making sure that the car seat the baby sits in hangs off my shoulder and bops the maximum number of gate cloggers on my way by.(no way in he11 my kid is sitting on a lap!)

She even had to shame some weenie into getting their but up off the seat in the monorail when she was traveling 8 months pregnant.

The entitlement attitude of BREEDERS (like above) makes me sick to my stomach. What happened to good ole normal PARENTS (NOT BREEDERS)? You and your MOO should stay home with your oversized SUV strollers and stick to ChuckECheese. So stereotypical.

 

[Diesel]

I've checked my bag for 5 years.

I love it when the company calls and says we've changed your flight. The best part is going up to the gate agent and saying, "I need my bag back." I've actually had a couple tell me I can't get it back and they will send it when it gets to it's destination. Ummm yeah I'm not sure the TSA would like that.

I had my bag make it to ATL one time before I did. The company in their infanite wisdom put me on bos-lga-atl. Theare are about 1000 bos-atl flights.

So i get to the bag carosel and suprise my bags not there. Go to the "big room" only to find out my bag took the direct flight 6hrs earlier.

 

[Ticker]

The entitlement attitude of BREEDERS (like above) makes me sick to my stomach. What happened to good ole normal PARENTS (NOT BREEDERS)? You and your MOO should stay home with your oversized SUV strollers and stick to ChuckECheese. So stereotypical.

Gee, you're right. We shouldn't go pay our respects to a very close couple of family members who made the unfortunate mistake of dying.

Your're right, when they say families with small children, they really mean buisness men and women.

Your're right, we should buy a cheapie little flimsy little stroller that will collapse somewhere in the airport with the kid in it. Heck, she's young...she'll heal...eventually.

We never fly Southwest, thank you very much. In this respect, they actually do a good job of seperating the humans from the sharks.

Oh, and by the way, our kids diapers are changed in the can, they stay in their seat, and they are well behaved because their loving parents actually pay attention to them and show them some loving attention. It is obvious from your post that your parents neglected to do that with you.

MY MOO?? Don't forget, your mother was a MOO and your parents were BREEDERS.

Neanderthal.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

MY MOO?? Don't forget, your mother was a MOO and your parents were BREEDERS.
Neanderthal.

WRONG... I had Parents, NOT Breeders...there is a huge difference. What you are is blatantly obvious from your initial post. ...and PROUD of the fact that you slam into people with your ridiculous amount of sprog gear?...PROUD of the fact that you intimidated an 8 months pregnant woman into leaving her seat so you and your entitled sprog could plop your big butts down?

You're (and note how that is spelled, since I see repeated issues with it) EXACTLY the stereotypical type that ruins everyone's flights with your entitled kid kicking the seat in front of him, while you laugh and think its so cute and funny. Exactly the type entitled to bring their sprog out to a nice restaurant, even though he's never learned to behave himself in public, and LET him ruin everyone's meal, because "By Gahd I PAID for this dinner too!" Your ideas of well behaved, believe me, are MUCH different than the rest of the world who don't see your "kyd" in the delusional way you do.

When you learn to be respectful of those around you, perhaps you won't feel so "pushed around" at the airport.

I welcome PARENTS with well behaved kids, not the space-invading, "me first" , Jerry Springer crowd of breeders that you outed yourself as in your post.

 

[Pervis]

Voice, I believe Ticker was saying his 8 month pregnant wife had to persuade the idiot to give up his seat so she could sit. I think you misinterpreted that part of his post.

 

[Palomino]

i need to book a fractional flight and find some things to whine about.

and to think i used to give fractional guys free rides. glad i ended that policy along with the government's insistence post 9/11

 

[RNObased]

Gee, you're right. We shouldn't go pay our respects to a very close couple of family members who made the unfortunate mistake of dying.

Your're right, when they say families with small children, they really mean buisness men and women.

Your're right, we should buy a cheapie little flimsy little stroller that will collapse somewhere in the airport with the kid in it. Heck, she's young...she'll heal...eventually.

We never fly Southwest, thank you very much. In this respect, they actually do a good job of seperating the humans from the sharks.

Oh, and by the way, our kids diapers are changed in the can, they stay in their seat, and they are well behaved because their loving parents actually pay attention to them and show them some loving attention. It is obvious from your post that your parents neglected to do that with you.

MY MOO?? Don't forget, your mother was a MOO and your parents were BREEDERS.

Neanderthal.

Ticker don't worry about what the voice of Treason says. He couldn't get a date with a fist full of fifties. So we don't have to worry about him expanding the shallow end of gene pool.